Joey Bosa wreaks havoc against Eli Manning in Week 5 of the NFL

Bye weeks started in the NFL this week, leaving many former Buckeyes with plenty of time to enjoy the 62-14 Ohio State win against Maryland on Saturday. It’s Week 5, and while some Buckeyes were sidelined with injuries — or listed as a healthy inactive — there were others who found the spotlight.

Some of the most exciting defensive players in the NFL hail from Ohio State, including Joey Bosa for the Chargers and Ryan Shazier for the Steelers. While it’s difficult to maintain their level of production, they find ways to make it happen so long as they’re healthy. Rod Smith made a big offensive play for the Cowboys — yes, this is a thing — but a lot of other Scarlet and Grey alumni had ‘meh’ days on Sunday.

Bosa ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

It was not a good day for the New York Giants. It was made far worse for Eli Manning by Buckeye Joey Bosa, who finished the day with 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. Bosa’s become part of one of the best pass rushing duos in the league, alongside Melvin Ingram. Just five weeks into the second year of his NFL career, Bosa has already put up 29 total tackles and 4.5 sacks.

And even when he’s not taking down opposing quarterbacks, he still somehow figures out a way to ruin their day.

Bills flip the script on Brown

Former Buckeye receiver Corey “Philly” Brown spent the early part of his career with the Panthers before being signed by the Buffalo Bills this year in free agency. Brown failed to make the final 53 man roster, but with injuries plaguing the Bills’ wideouts — including Jordan Matthews needing surgery — they brought him back earlier in the week.

It didn’t last long, though. Just four days later, the team released Brown just a day before the team’s trip to Cincinnati for Sunday’s Week 5 contest.

Pretty slow news day

Some of the former Ohio State stars who have been on the rise the past few weeks, had relatively tame games in Week 5.

The Colts got a win over the San Francisco 49ers, with Johnathan Hankins (2 tackles), Malik Hooker (5 tackles), John Simon (4 tackles), and Jack Mewhort all starting for Indianapolis. For the Niners, RB Carlos Hyde was limited all week with a hip injury, and managed only 11 yards on eight carries and one reception for seven yards.

Similarly meh this week were Eli Apple (5 tackles), Cameron Heyward (2 tackles), Darron Lee (6 tackles), and Adolphus Washington (2 tackles). Malcolm Jenkins snagged four tackles and a pass break for the Eagles.

Plays of the Week

Ryan Shazier’s 2nd INT

The former Buckeye linebacker has been a beast since his days in Scarlet and Grey, but after a few seasons cut short to injury, he seems full-go in 2017. Ryan Shazier snagged his second interception in as many games in Week 5, along with eight total tackles — and the admiration of Steelers legend Jerome Bettis.

Rod Smith’s 2017 Introduction

Believe it or not, there is another Buckeye who plays for the Dallas Cowboys whose name is not Ezekiel Elliott or Noah Brown. Rod Smith has quietly contributed to Dallas’ offense over the past few seasons, but he became the sixth receiver Sunday to catch a pass from QB Dak Prescott. Smith’s first reception of the year was good for 18 yards and a first down.

Injury Report and Inactives

• Safety Kurt Coleman suffered a sprained MCL during last week’s Carolina win over the Patriots and will be out of commission for several weeks.
• Gareon Conley has been sidelined on and off throughout the early part of his rookie season for the Oakland Raiders with a lingering shin injury — one that once again left him out in Week 5.
• Having yet to crack into the lineup at the No. 2 QB spot, Cardale Jones was a healthy scratch for the Chargers on Sunday. Other healthy inactive Buckeyes include Alex Boone for the Cardinals, rookie wideout Noah Brown for the Cowboys, and receiver Braxton Miller for the Texans (for the 2nd week in a row).
• The Jets’ welcomed back Jalin Marshall this week from suspension, but he didn’t see any playing time.

Players on Bye Week

• Week 5 marks the first bye week of the season, with four teams taking an early-season rest, including Atlanta, Denver (Jeff Heuerman, Bradley Roby), New Orleans (Vonn Bell, Ted Ginn Jr., Marshon Lattimore, Michael Thomas), and Washington (Terrelle Pryor Sr.).
• Lattimore gets a break this week, but he’s a new entry in ProFootball Focus’ Rookie of the Year nominees.